This week, Patrick Freivald and Wednes parse whether neurodivergence as a concept is even real--or if we're all on a spectrum of one sort or another. We discuss anthropology and how ND conditions may increase one's value to the tribe. Also fight-or-flight, writing and publishing, Rod Serling, why celebrating differences is essential, and city horror versus country horror.

Author, Educator, Science Guy, and Beekeeper Patrick Freivald 

This week, we talk international travel, music, and autism with Mimi U. She's a self-proclaimed pop-idol with a love of anime, J-pop, and smiling. We discuss whether autism can be a gift, a superpower, or a PitA. Also tips for living with intrusive thoughts, media portrayals of autism, and how anime and horror both have problematic fans. 

Guest: Mimi U

The Mentally Oddcast returns for a sixth season with Rev Josh Hosler. [Http://www.goodshepherdfw.org]We talk religion and society, and why a god can be a source of mockery and doubt as well as hope and community. We parse whether depression and anxiety are really 'disorders' or logical reactions to a world that sucks. Also familial estrangement, the art of listening, and Josh's history in music, radio, and being a youth counselor without nefarious intent. 

Guest: Reverend Josh Hosler

This week Wednes matches wits (and witty barbs) with Frankie [http://linktr.ee/frankanthonypolito]--cutest kid in elementary school and award-winning writer with the medal to prove it. We talk about the perils of marketing with Zuckerbots afoot. Wednes learns what a Literary Death Match is, and we both realize we named characters after each other in our debut novels (even though we hadn't talked in decades at the time). We share childhood memories including bullies, therapy, revelations of abuse, and one of us figuring out they were gay--you'll never guess which one. LOL

TW for domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, suicide, and slurs 

Guest: Playwright and Author Frank Anthony Polito

This week's guest, Cat Voleur, [https://linktr.ee/catvoleur] wears many hats and tackles a variety of issues in her life and work. We talk movie tie-in novels and Graveyard Shark in general. Also representation, horror and comedy, politics, non-fiction, and of course, a MadLib. The ep concludes with a killer short story you will not want to miss.

Author, Tie-in Writer, and Podcaster Cat Voleur 

This week has lots of movie talk--especially B movies and horror movies. Wednes and author Eric Mille [https://linktr.ee/ragingeric]r disagree about The Mist, agree on Matheson and BSG, and parse whether all demons are bad or if some just have bad press. Miller shares his journey of seeking help for depression, navigating a world where rejections are common, and his own bouts with impostor syndrome. Plus his first MadLib, Halloween vs Friday the 13th, Swamp Shark, seeing your work onscreen, and we end with a short story that you will NOT want to miss.
TW for suicide talk. 

Guest: Screenwriter and Author Eric Miller

This week, Wednes and David-Jack [https://linktr.ee/djfletcher] speak frankly and angrily about propaganda and contemporary politics. We also talk borderline disorder, trauma, horror movies of the 90s, and how we can receive love even when we don't feel worthy of it. Also representation, why "Hell is other people," and how we might eat differently if we could communicate with animals.
TW for suicidal ideation and planning. 

Australian Author, Publisher, and LGBTQ+ Advocate: David-Jack Fletcher

This week Wednes speaks with gender-fluid author of sci-fi, spec-fic, and the perpetually weird. We opine on the importance of support systems, when gender dysphoria shows up later in life, and the mandela effect. We also talk zombies, publishing, and Conrad Veidt. Also TWs and why anyone opposing them can eff off, plus what qualifies as 'weird fiction," and TT talks about their book: Loading the Machine Child. We close with a MadLib and a fantastic short story read by our guest. 

Guest: Author and Activist: TT Madden

TW for discussions of an active shooter situation and frank anti-fash talk.

Find more from Chloe Spencer here. [https://linktr.ee/chloespencer]

Chloe Spencer is an author, advocate, and game developer in the great state of Minnesota. We talk MAGAboys, PTSD and treatments that help, what makes a good game, and dating via text and app. We also discuss why victim-blaming is for cowards, which horror character resonates with Wednes the most, a Mad Lib, and I choke on my own rage for a hot second. We end with Chloe absolutely nailing an unedited reading from her most recent book.  It's a fab episode that would have been perfection if my mic hadn't switched to my desktop.

Author, Game Developer, Animal Advocate: Chloe Spencer

This week we talk about the benefits of embedded journalism, escaping the fundamentalist mindset, wtf happened at cbs, Anxiety, idiot plots marketing kids, and how awesome it is being married to a "wife guy."  We also talk RFK jr and other shameless MAGAboys, and why meta wants you to believe everyone is terrible. Also, poor people helping each other, being bi, and what we do about women who are tools of the patriarchy.
TW for SA, DV, and suicidal ideation. 

Guest: Journalist Sarah Rigg

It's me, Wednesday Lee Friday. I host the Mentally Oddcast and Gratis Guignol. 

Wednesday Lee Friday (@wednesdayleefriday) · Zencastr

Wednesday Lee Friday (@wednesdayleefriday)

the Mentally Oddcast features creatives discussing how mental illness, addiction, neurodivergence, and the impact of trauma informs & inspires their art. New eps every Wednesday! CW/TW for discussions of suicide, addiction, abuse, SA. 

Host Wednesday Lee Friday is the author of A Stabbing for Sadie, Kiss Me Like You Love Me, The Finster Effect, and multiple short story collections. Her career has included wrangling reptiles, sex writing, sociopolitical activism, and lots and lots of retail management. She also runs a soap & gift shop you should totally check out. 

Intro/Outtro music by Peter Alway